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A young man in £1,000 of debt pulled a gun on his own sister to make her give him her money.

Before Manvir Panaesar used the metal air pistol against his sister he had a row about money with his father that led to his father collapsing and being taken away in an ambulance.

Panesar then smashed a mirror in his parents’ home.

At Leicester Crown Court on Monday Panaesar (22), of Erskin Street, Leicester city centre, was jailed for 30 months having pleaded guilty to criminal damage, blackmail and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear.

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During the sentencing hearing on Monday, prosecutor James Varley told the court that on April 16 this year a group of people had arrived at Panaesar’s parents’ home in Edward Avenue, Braunstone Town demanding money to pay off his debts.

He said: “A stranger identifying herself as Anastasia expressed concern the defendant owned her over £1,000 and had promised to pay her back.”

The case was heard at Leicester Crown Court and County Court (Image: Mike Sewell)

He said the defendant went to his family’s home and told Anastasia he could pay her £150 later that day.

After the woman left, Panaesar demanded money from his family.

Mr Varley said: “He became aggressive, even towards his own father who became ill and had to be taken away by an ambulance.”

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Mr Varley said: “She was terrified and thought he might shoot her. She believed he had his finger on the trigger and was absolutely rigid with fear.”

Panaesar’s sister went out and withdrew £150 from a cash machine for her brother but later told another of her brothers what had happened and the family decided to call the police.

Richard Partridge, defending Panaesar, said: “All the family are here in court the public gallery.

“They’re here in support of the defendant. He panicked and did something incredibly stupid and out of character.

“It was a moment of craziness and his family are willing to have him back in the home.”

Recorder David Herbert was also handed letters from members of the family asking him not to jail Panaesar.

But he said: “People cannot go around with imitation firearms robbing people of money whether it is family or not.

“When your sister refused to pay you, you lost your temper with her. You smashed a mirror in the house and obtained a weapon.

“It may not have been loaded in any way but that wouldn’t be of any comfort to your sister because that item looked very real. For understandable reasons she was completely terrified about what you were about to do to her.”